Hair treatment system and method for cosmetically treating hair

ABSTRACT

A hair treatment system is provided and may comprise a sensor device having at least one condition sensor for capturing a hair condition parameter and/or an environmental parameter, and an electrical hair treatment device. The hair treatment device may comprise an application device for applying a hair treatment agent to the hair, a hair treatment unit, and an electronic circuit device, wherein the electronic circuit device may be coupled to the sensor device in order to receive the captured hair condition parameter and/or the environmental parameter and/or a hair treatment parameter, and wherein the electronic circuit device may be configured to control the hair treatment on the basis of the received captured hair condition parameter and/or environmental parameter and/or hair treatment parameter, wherein the hair treatment may comprise an application of the hair treatment agent and a mechanical and/or thermal treatment by employing the hair treatment unit.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a U.S. National-Stage entry under 35 U.S.C. § 371 based on International Application No. PCT/EP2018/067829, filed Jul. 2, 2018, which was published under PCT Article 21(2) and which claims priority to German Application No. 10 2017 211 781.8, filed Jul. 10, 2017, which are all hereby incorporated in their entirety by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to hair cosmetics, in particular to a hair treatment system, and to a method for the cosmetic treatment of hair.

BACKGROUND

Users (also termed consumers) frequently do not know to what extent their hair has been damaged, and moreover, frequently know little about the condition of their hair. The condition of the hair, and in particular the degree of damage to the hair, can vary widely depending on treatment history and the nature of the hair. This information may be important when selecting a correct cosmetic hair treatment, i.e. a cosmetic treatment that is appropriate for the degree of damage to the hair, and/or a cosmetic hair treatment agent.

For semi-permanent hair styling which may, for example, be carried out using a hair straightener and/or curling wand or a similar device, hair treatment agents (for example chemical hair treatment agents) may be used which can reinforce the action of the mechanical devices which are used for styling the hair. Hair straighteners, curling wands and similar devices are also generally known here as small electrical appliances.

For semi-permanent hair styling, in order to obtain the cosmetic effect, the structure of the hair is altered. This occurs, for example, by heating the hair when using a hair straightener or curling wand. This process could possibly be damaging to the hair because of the high temperatures used (from about 120° C. to about 240° C.). In particular, hair which has already been damaged could be severely (further) damaged if semi-permanent hair styling is incorrectly carried out, for example by applying too much heat with a hair straightener.

Accurately coordinating the temperatures and/or cosmetic conditioning agents used during straightening could therefore be very important when styling semi-permanently.

Non-professional people in particular may lack knowledge regarding how to obtain a semi-permanent shaping of the hair using small electrical appliances (for example straightening using a hair straightener or curling the hair using a curling wand), without damaging the hair. Furthermore, they may not know how to obtain an optimum result under specific climatic conditions.

Effective shaping of the hair can usually only be obtained at temperatures from approximately 190° C. or higher. Beyond this temperature, damage to the hair may be observed.

There is therefore a requirement for a hair treatment method or a hair treatment system which allows hair to be treated gently.

Furthermore, it would be desirable for the user to be able to obtain an objective assessment of a treatment outcome and/or a treatment procedure during a cosmetic hair treatment.

BRIEF SUMMARY

This disclosure provides a hair treatment system, comprising: a sensor device having at least one condition sensor for capturing a hair condition parameter and/or an environmental parameter; and an electrical hair treatment device, comprising: an application device for applying a hair treatment agent to the hair; a hair treatment unit; and an electronic circuit device, wherein the electronic circuit device is coupled to the sensor device in order to receive the captured hair condition parameter and/or the environmental parameter and/or a hair treatment parameter, and wherein the electronic circuit device is configured to control the hair treatment on the basis of the received captured hair condition parameter and/or environmental parameter and/or hair treatment parameter, wherein the hair treatment comprises an application of the hair treatment agent by employing the application device and a mechanical and/or thermal treatment by employing the hair treatment unit.

This disclosure also provides a method for the cosmetic treatment of the hair of a user, comprising: prior to a treatment or during the treatment of the hair using the aforementioned hair treatment system capturing a hair condition parameter and/or an environmental parameter by employing the at least one condition sensor; and controlling or regulating a hair treatment based on the received captured hair condition parameter and/or environmental parameter and/or hair treatment parameter, wherein the hair treatment comprises an application of the hair treatment agent and a mechanical and/or thermal treatment.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present disclosure will hereinafter be described in conjunction with the following drawing figures, wherein like numerals denote like elements, and:

In the figures:

FIGS. 1A, 1B and 1C respectively show a diagrammatic view of a hair treatment system in accordance with various exemplary embodiments;

FIGS. 2A to 2F respectively show a diagrammatic view of a hair treatment system in accordance with various exemplary embodiments;

FIGS. 3A and 3B respectively show a diagrammatic view of an applying a hair treatment system in accordance with various exemplary embodiments; and

FIG. 4 shows a flow diagram of a method for the cosmetic treatment of hair in accordance with various exemplary embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following detailed description is merely exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit the disclosure or the application and uses of the subject matter as described herein. Furthermore, there is no intention to be bound by any theory presented in the preceding background or the following detailed description.

In various exemplary embodiments, the hair treatment system may be provided with a sensor the measurement result of which is taken into account when carrying out the hair treatment.

In various exemplary embodiments, an integrated ecosystem formed by intelligent/smart appliances is provided which, for example, provide an improved hair quality and/or improved styling from an identification of the problem (analysis) via counselling (assessment) to final provision of a desired benefit (smart small electrical appliance, optionally in combination with suitable, optionally individualized product).

In various exemplary embodiments, a hair treatment system may be provided, for example a hair shaping system. In various exemplary embodiments, the hair treatment system may have a sensor device (also termed a sensor unit, analysis device or analysis unit) and a hair treatment device.

In various exemplary embodiments, the sensor device may determine the status of the hair, also known as the condition of the hair. The condition of the hair may have one or more hair condition parameters.

In various exemplary embodiments, the sensor device may be a smart phone, a hairband, a comb or the like. In various exemplary embodiments, the sensor device may be equipped with at least one sensor. In various exemplary embodiments, the sensor may be a camera, for example connected to a microscope, a near-infrared sensor, a VIS-/NIR sensor (i.e. a sensor which is sensitive in a wavelength range which extends from the visible light region (VIS) to the near-infrared region (NIR)), a sensor for determining environmental conditions such as, for example, a humidity sensor, a temperature sensor, a wind sensor, etc. The sensors, which in various exemplary embodiments are used to determine a condition before, during and/or after the hair treatment, the results of the measurements therefrom forming a basis for how the hair treatment will be carried out, may also herein be described as condition sensors.

In various exemplary embodiments, the hair treatment device may be configured to apply a hair treatment agent to the hair. To this end, the hair treatment device may, for example, be equipped with an integrated cartridge. The hair treatment agent may be accommodated in the cartridge and be dispensed onto the hair by employing a dispensing device, for example by employing a spray device and/or a drizzling device.

In various exemplary embodiments, the hair treatment device may be configured to apply a cosmetic agent and to apply mechanical work, for example to twist or stretch a strand of hair, and/or to apply heat, for example to introduce heat and/or to cool the hair.

In various exemplary embodiments, the analysis unit and the small electrical appliance may be constructed separately.

In various exemplary embodiments, an intensity of the mechanical work and/or the temperature may be regulated as a function of data transmitted/determined by employing the analysis device.

In various exemplary embodiments, the hair treatment system may further have an input device and/or an output device as an additional element, for example.

In various exemplary embodiments, the input device may be a tactile and/or an acoustic input device.

In various exemplary embodiments, the output device may be an optic and/or an acoustic output device.

In various exemplary embodiments, the input device may be used to input a control command (for example start, change, stop the hair treatment system and/or parts of the hair treatment system, for example only of the hair treatment device or only of the sensor device).

In various exemplary embodiments, the output device may be used to output an analysis result and/or to output a method and/or product recommendation and/or to output progress of a treatment.

In various exemplary embodiments, the input and/or output device may be constructed separately, i.e. separately from the hair treatment device and from the analysis device.

In various exemplary embodiments, the input device may comprise a touch-sensitive screen, a keyboard, a microphone, a mouse or the like, for example as part of a smart phone, tablet, laptop, smart mirror or the like.

In various exemplary embodiments, the output device may have a (for example touch-sensitive) screen, a speaker or the like, for example as part of a smart phone, tablet, laptop, smart mirror or the like.

In various exemplary embodiments, the input and/or output device may have a touch-sensitive screen, a combination of screen and keyboard or a combination of microphone and/or speaker.

In various exemplary embodiments, the input and/or output device may be integrated into the sensor device, for example as a touch-sensitive screen, as a combination of screen and keyboard, as a microphone and/or as a speaker.

In various exemplary embodiments, the input and/or output device may be integrated into the hair treatment device, for example the small electrical appliance, for example as a touch-sensitive screen or as a combination of screen and keyboard, as a microphone and/or as a speaker.

The hair treatment agent which may be applied to the hair may in various exemplary embodiments be a commercially available product.

In various exemplary embodiments, the hair treatment agent may be an individualized product, for example an individualized product which might be manufactured after a (for example initial) determination of the at least one hair condition parameter (i.e. after an analysis of the hair, for example using the sensor device) and handed over or mailed.

In various exemplary embodiments, the individualized product may be produced at home following determination of the hair condition parameter, for example by employing a mixing device for care and/or styling agents integrated into the hair treatment system.

In various exemplary embodiments, the mixing device may be provided separately or is separate, i.e. physically separated from the hair treatment device, from the sensor device and from the input and/or output device.

In various exemplary embodiments, the mixing device may be integrated into the small electrical appliance.

In various exemplary embodiments, the mixing device may be integrated into the separate input and/or output device.

In various exemplary embodiments, a shaping action may be targeted or promoted by employing an additive action of care and/or styling agents and small electrical appliance (i.e. the mechanical action and/or heating action by the hair treatment device). In other words, the shaping action may be targeted or promoted by employing the synergistic effect of care and/or styling agent and small electrical appliance (i.e. the mechanical action and/or heating action by the hair treatment device).

When the sensor device, hair treatment device, input/output device and/or mixing device are separate in construction, in various exemplary embodiments, communication within the multi-component system may be cordless.

The cordless communication may in various exemplary embodiments be provided by employing a central communication hub.

In various exemplary embodiments, the communication within a communication series formed by the individual components of the hair treatment system may be made in accordance with a procedural sequence.

In various exemplary embodiments, the communication may be within a network formed by the components of the hair treatment system.

In various exemplary embodiments, an integrated system is provided which enables a standardized and objective assessment of the outcome of a treatment to be made. In various exemplary embodiments, a broad set of data and results (which, for example, can be made or is made by employing access of the hair treatment system to a processor cloud architecture (abbreviated to cloud)) enables the treatment result to be optimized.

In various exemplary embodiments, the hair treatment system may be configured as a learning system. For this, for example, experiences of other users may be continuously provided to the hair treatment system, for example by employing supplying the experiences of other users to the cloud and optionally processing the experiences further in the cloud.

In various exemplary embodiments, a method and a device may be provided, permitting effective hair shaping at temperatures below about 190° C.

In various exemplary embodiments, for semi-permanent hair shaping, dispensing care and/or styling agents and heating the hair may be combined in one step of the method.

In the field of semi-permanent hair styling, in various exemplary embodiments, methods using energized small appliances such as hair straighteners or curling wands are provided, as well as the hair treatment devices and hair treatment systems that are suitable therefor.

In various exemplary embodiments, a device is provided which has a combination of a styling appliance (for example curling wand, hair straightener or the like), a sensor system, i.e. at least one sensor (wherein the at least one sensor may be integrated into the styling appliance or physically separate from the styling appliance, for example a part of a separate sensor device), an electronic circuit device (for example a processor, for example a microprocessor), and an actuator (to control or regulate a hair treatment functionality of the styling appliance, for example a temperature control, control of a contact pressure and/or dispensing of a hair treatment agent). In various exemplary embodiments, the combination may furthermore have an input and/or output device and/or a mixing device.

Further, in various exemplary embodiments, a method is provided which uses this device.

In various exemplary embodiments, the electronic circuit device may be configured to receive sensor data from the sensor, to evaluate the sensor data and optionally to compare the evaluated sensor data with at least one external database (for example by employing a cloud).

In various exemplary embodiments, the processor may be further configured to derive instructions (for example a methodology including temperature and/or care and/or styling agents used) from the evaluated sensor data.

In various exemplary embodiments, the electronic circuit device may be further configured to transmit instructions, if appropriate, to the actuator, wherein the actuator may be part of the hair treatment device or of the hair treatment system.

In various exemplary embodiments, the actuator can translate the instructions provided by the electronic circuit device. Instructions executed by the actuator may, in various exemplary embodiments, have a mechanical effect (for example by controlling or regulating a contact pressure of a hair straightener or of a curling wand and/or an automatic adjustment of a device on the styling appliance for dispensing a hair treatment agent), and/or the actuator may be configured to set the temperature automatically.

In various exemplary embodiments, the sensor may have a hair damage sensor. The hair damage sensor may, in various exemplary embodiments, be configured to determine an amino acid oxidation product content, in particular a cysteic acid content, of the hair by employing near-infrared spectroscopy and/or fluorescence spectroscopy and to determine a degree of damage to the hair from it. The hair damage sensor may, in various exemplary embodiments, be configured to determine a content of one or more amino acid(s) in the hair by employing near-infrared spectroscopy and to determine a degree of damage to the hair from it. In various exemplary embodiments, the hair damage sensor may be configured to record acoustic emissions captured during combing of the hair and to determine the degree of damage to the hair from it, optionally with the aid of the processor.

In various exemplary embodiments, the hair damage sensor may have a microscopic photosensor. The microscopic photosensor may be configured to determine the roughness of the surface of the hair or to enable the roughness of the hair surface to be determined.

In various exemplary embodiments, the hair damage sensor may have a camera which may be coupled to an interference reflection microscope of the sensor device.

In various exemplary embodiments, the sensor may have a hair thickness sensor. In various exemplary embodiments, the hair thickness sensor may be configured to determine a thickness of the hair by employing a light sensor. As an example, when determining the hair thickness, the fact that thicker hair absorbs more light may be taken into consideration. In this regard, in various exemplary embodiments, the hair thickness sensor may be configured such that a specific quantity of hair, for example a single layer, can be introduced into a specific volume and the volume is irradiated with light of a predetermined intensity, whereupon the quantity of light which reaches the sensor after passing through the hair can be measured by employing the sensor. The hair thickness can be determined with the aid of the captured light by employing the hair thickness sensor, optionally in conjunction with the electronic circuit device, for example the processor.

In various exemplary embodiments, for example in a case in which the hair thickness sensor has a colour camera, the hair thickness sensor may also be used to determine a hair colour, optionally with the assistance of the electronic circuit device.

In various exemplary embodiments, the hair thickness sensor may have an ultrasound sensor. The ultrasound sensor may be configured to beam ultrasound waves in the direction of the hair, to capture ultrasound waves reflected by the hair and to determine the thickness of the hair from it, optionally in conjunction with the processor.

In various exemplary embodiments, the at least one sensor may be a hair length sensor. The hair length sensor may, for example, have at least one position sensor which allows a path length to be determined for the hair. In various exemplary embodiments, the hair length sensor may be combined with a sensor for calculating a combability of the hair (see below).

In various exemplary embodiments, instead of determining the length of the hair using the hair length sensor, the length of the hair is or may be provided by the user. As an example, the user may measure the hair length themselves and provide the value measured for the length of the hair to the hair treatment device or to the hair treatment system.

In various exemplary embodiments, the hair thickness sensor may have a photo-optic sensor in which an image of at least one hair is recorded.

In various exemplary embodiments, the hair thickness sensor may have a thermal sensor.

In various exemplary embodiments, the sensor may have a straightness/curliness sensor which may be configured to determine a structure of the hair in the context of smooth hair up to curly or frizzy hair. In various exemplary embodiments, the straightness/curliness sensor may have a camera. In various exemplary embodiments, the straightness/curliness sensor may be configured, optionally in conjunction with the electronic circuit device, for example the processor, for example by employing an image processing program, to determine the straightness or curliness of the hair.

In various exemplary embodiments, the sensor may have a hair moisture sensor. The hair moisture sensor may, in various exemplary embodiments, be configured to determine a water content of the hair. The hair moisture sensor may, for example, be set up as a near-infrared spectroscope which is configured to investigate near-infrared (NIR) absorption structures of water and, on the basis of these, optionally with the aid of the processor, to determine the hair moisture.

In various exemplary embodiments, the at least one sensor may have a combing work sensor. The combing work sensor may be configured to capture a force which is expended during combing of the hair (for example by employing strain gauges).

In various exemplary embodiments, the at least one sensor may have a hair density sensor. As an example, the hair density sensor may have a camera or a camera attachment which may be configured to be held directly against a region of the hair roots, for example by placing it directly onto the scalp. A density of the hair may be used to determine the hair density with the aid of the image, for example with the aid of a number of hairs and/or a distance between the hairs.

In various exemplary embodiments, the sensor, for example in the case of a spectrometer or a camera, may be configured to determine a plurality of hair condition parameters, for example both the degree of damage to the hair by employing the cysteic acid absorption structures in the NIR spectrum, as well as the hair moisture with the aid of the water absorption structures in the NIR spectrum.

In various exemplary embodiments, the sensor may be configured to determine further hair condition parameters.

In various exemplary embodiments, the sensor device may comprise at least one sensor which is configured to capture an environmental parameter. In various exemplary embodiments, the environmental parameter is captured in the open air.

The environmental sensor may, for example, comprise a thermometer which may be configured to capture an environmental temperature, an air humidity sensor to capture a humidity of the environmental air, a wind sensor, or the like.

Alternatively, in various exemplary embodiments, an environmental parameter may be provided via an external source. In various exemplary embodiments, the environmental parameter is not a contemporaneously captured parameter, but a predicted environmental parameter determined at a point in time specified by the user. As an example, the environmental parameter may be provided to the user via internet portals, internet sites, databases or apps, for example weather forecasting apps, and the user provides this to the hair treatment system, for example by employing an input device. Alternatively, the environmental parameter may be provided directly, for example via a weather forecasting app integrated into the hair treatment system or communicating with it, and will be taken into consideration in the method for the cosmetic treatment of a user's hair.

In various exemplary embodiments, the at least one environmental parameter, which is determined from the at least one environmental sensor and/or is provided via an external source, is taken into account when controlling or regulating the hair treatment. As an example, a temperature during the hair treatment may be higher and/or a treatment period during the hair treatment may be longer and/or a hair treatment agent with a stronger action may be applied to the hair and/or a higher force may be exerted on the hair when the determined at least one environmental parameter leads to the conclusion that the treated hair is exposed to a relatively high environmental stress (for example strong wind and/or low temperature and/or high air humidity (when hair is to be straightened) or low air humidity (when hair is to be curled). In contrast, a temperature during the hair treatment may be lower and/or a treatment period during the hair treatment may be shorter and/or a hair treatment agent with a weaker action may be applied to the hair and/or a lower force may be exerted on the hair when the determined at least one environmental parameter leads to the conclusion that the treated hair is exposed to a relatively low environmental stress (for example with a light or no wind, and/or average temperature and/or low air humidity (when hair is to be straightened) or high air humidity (when hair is to be curled).

In various exemplary embodiments, the hair treatment device of the hair treatment system may have or be an appliance which can be heated, for example a hair straightener or a curling wand or the like. This means that the hair treatment device in various exemplary embodiments may have a heating device as a hair treatment unit. In various exemplary embodiments, depending on the result of the hair analysis (damage, hair thickness, curliness, water content) and/or the environmental analysis, the heating device may be controlled or regulated.

As an example, in the case of more intact, thicker, curlier and/or wetter hair and/or in the case of more severe environmental conditions to which the hair is exposed (for example stronger wind, higher temperature), the hair treatment device or the hair treatment system may be controlled or regulated in a manner such that the hair is treated at a higher temperature than when the hair is more damaged, thinner, straighter and/or drier.

In various exemplary embodiments, the hair straightener or the curling wand, as a hair treatment unit, may have a device which is configured to carry out mechanical work on the hair, for example to press or pull the hair. To this end, the device may be equipped with a motor. The pressure or tension may be controllable or regulatable by employing the (for example electronically controllable) motor.

In various exemplary embodiments, instead of the motor or in addition thereto, the hair straightener or the curling wand may have at least one sensor which is configured to measure a force which is exerted on the hair, i.e., for example, a traction force sensor or a pressure sensor. This type of sensor, which is used during the hair treatment, is also termed herein a treatment sensor.

In the case in which the motor is present, the force exerted on the hair may be regulated with the aid of the values determined by the traction force sensor or pressure sensor, for example in a manner such that a predetermined force is obtained.

In the case in which the force is exerted on the hair manually, this may be determined by the traction force sensor or pressure sensor, and the user or person who exerts the force can receive feedback, for example visually or acoustically, for example so that the person can adjust the force exerted by them in order to obtain a predetermined force.

In various exemplary embodiments, the sensor device, as part of the hair treatment device or as a separate device, may have a plurality of sensors (for example identical) which, for example, may be disposed in a manner such that the user can immediately obtain feedback as to whether a further treatment (also termed “post-treatment”) is necessary.

In various exemplary embodiments, the hair treatment device may have sensors at two positions along a direction of movement of the hair, wherein one sensor measures a hair condition parameter prior to the hair treatment (for example the temperature treatment and/or the treatment with the hair treatment agent) and one sensor measures a (for example the same) hair condition parameter after the hair treatment.

In this respect, these sensors can be considered to be treatment sensors.

In various exemplary embodiments, the hair treatment device may have an application device for applying the hair treatment agent to the hair. The application device may, for example, be a reservoir, also termed a tank or cartridge, and a dispensing device, for example at least one (for example electronically controllable) valve and/or a (for example electronically controllable) pump device. The dispensing device may be formed as part of the tank, and/or as part of a body of the hair straightener/curling wand, also termed the device body.

In various exemplary embodiments, the cartridge may be refillable.

The hair treatment agent, for example a styling agent, may be placed in the reservoir. Depending on the results of the hair analysis (for example damage, hair thickness, curliness, water content) and/or the environmental analysis (for example wind, temperature, humidity), the hair treatment agent which, for example, may have a (for example chemical) composition, may be applied to the hair by actuating the dispensing device using the actuator.

In various exemplary embodiments, different volumes/quantities may be applied to the hair or may be applicable to the hair as a function of the position (for example roots, middle, ends).

In various exemplary embodiments, by employing the hair treatment system, two or more agents may be applied to the hair or may be applicable to the hair as a function of the position (for example roots, middle, ends), or at different positions.

In various exemplary embodiments, a user may obtain information regarding the progress of the application even while a hair treatment is being carried out. A hair treatment result may still be optimized while carrying out the hair treatment, so that frustration can be avoided.

In various exemplary embodiments, a hair treatment system with a hair treatment device may be provided in the form of a hair straightener or a curling wand, in which the at least one sensor is a part of a separate communication-enabled (i.e. comprising a data exchange device) sensor device (for example a smart phone which has a camera, a spectrometer with the data exchange device, what is known as an “acoustic comb”, which may be configured to capture sounds generated during combing and to transmit them.

An electronic circuit device which may have a processor, and a first actuator which may have an application device for a hair styling agent, may be integrated into the hair straightener or into the curling wand.

In various exemplary embodiments, the hair straightener or the curling wand may have a temperature control or a temperature regulator as a further actuator, which controls or regulates a temperature of heatable surfaces of the hair straightener or curling wand.

As an alternative or in addition, in various exemplary embodiments, the hair straightener or the curling wand may have one or more further actuators, for example to control or regulate a pressure which is exerted on the hair by employing the hair treatment device.

In various exemplary embodiments, the hair straightener or the curling wand may have a data exchange device, for example to receive measured values captured by the at least one sensor and/or to receive hair treatment parameters, for example control instructions.

In various exemplary embodiments, instead of being a part of the separate communication-enabled sensor device, or (for example in the case of a plurality of sensors) as a supplement thereto, the at least one sensor may be integrated into the hair straightener or into the curling wand.

In various exemplary embodiments, in addition to the electronic circuit device, the hair treatment system may have a data processing device or be configured to exchange data with the data processing device. The data processing device may be communication-enabled, i.e. have a data exchange device, for example part of a smart phone, a tablet, a laptop, a smart mirror or the like, on which an app may be installed, for example, or a cloud, for example, or the like.

In various exemplary embodiments, the hair straightener or the curling wand may have a data exchange device, for example for receiving hair condition parameters and/or environmental parameters detected by the sensor device, or to receive treatment parameters determined externally, and/or to receive recommendations and/or control commands determined by employing the data processing device.

By employing a software program, for example a (smart phone) app, information, for example control or regulation instructions, may be transferred to the hair treatment device (for example a “smart” hair straightener or curling wand), which may be configured, on the basis of the control or regulation commands, to control or regulate a hair treatment parameter, for example to dispense a hair treatment agent, to set a temperature at which the hair could be treated without further damage, etc. In this regard, an exchange of data may be cordless, for example via Bluetooth or a Near Field Communication technology (NFC technology).

In one exemplary embodiment, the at least one pump may be controlled or regulated by employing a smart phone or the like, for example by employing an app. The smart phone may form the data processing device, which receives sensor data from the sensor device and/or itself provides at least one condition sensor, for example the smart phone camera (optionally in connection with a suitable app for determining at least one hair condition parameter, for example a curliness of the hair, a hair colour or the like). With the aid of the at least one received and/or determined hair condition parameter (for example by employing suitable software, for example an app), a treatment parameter may be determined using the smart phone. As an example, using the smart phone, a flow rate for the hair treatment agent may be determined and, by transmitting a dispensing command from the smart phone to the hair treatment device, can be set in the hair straightener/curling wand.

In various exemplary embodiments, a hair treatment system may be provided which may have a hair treatment device (for example a hair straightener, a curling wand or the like), and furthermore may have a data connection (for the data exchange feature, the term “connectivity” is frequently employed) between an external app and the hair treatment device (for example the curling wand or the hair straightener). In various exemplary embodiments, care/styling parameters may be provided, for example specified (for example a maximum temperature), whereupon the parameters provided may be with respect to a degree of damage to the hair, i.e. the parameter may have a different value depending on the degree of damage to the hair.

In various exemplary embodiments, the input device may be configured to record at least one input by the user and to provide it to the electronic circuit device and/or to an external data processing device. Parameters or information to be input by the user may, for example, comprise age and/or gender, a desired hairstyle, an actual hair length, curliness of the hair or the like.

In various exemplary embodiments, one or more items of information be stored as part of a user profile, for example in the electronic circuit device and/or in the external data processing device, and therefore be able to be recalled for subsequent use.

In various exemplary embodiments, comparative images may be provided for the input, for example, from which the user can select (for example by tapping/clicking or the like) that which most closely resembles their current and/or desired condition (also termed the desired condition or target condition, and in the case of a hairstyle, the desired hairstyle). Instead of comparative images provided by the system or as a supplement thereto, an image may be provided to the system by the user, for example a digital image, on which a hairstyle of the user is depicted, and/or a digital image may be provided by the user, onto which a desired hairstyle of the user is overlaid, for example a prominent person, a friend of the user with the desired hairstyle, or a hairstyle model from a “Look Book”.

The information provided by the user, for example as regards their desired condition, may in various exemplary embodiments be taken into account by the electronic circuit device and/or the external data processing device during determination of the hair treatment, for example of the at least one hair treatment parameter.

In various exemplary embodiments, step-by-step instructions may be provided as to how the desired condition, for example the desired hairstyle, is to be obtained, taking into consideration the determined condition of the hair and/or environmental parameters and the information provided by the user. The instructions may, in various exemplary embodiments, be provided by employing the output device, for example as a sequence of images or video and/or as spoken instructions. As an example, the instructions may be provided in a manner such that the user can selected a required point in the sequence and/or in a manner such that completion of one of the steps in the instructions is automatically detected by the condition sensor and/or treatment sensor and/or is indicated by the user, and subsequently, the subsequent step of the instructions is provided.

The controlled or regulated element for controlling or regulating the hair treatment may have a dispensing device for the hair treatment agent and/or a heating device for heating the hair and/or a motor for exerting a force on the hair. The controlled or regulated element may, in various exemplary embodiments, be controlled by employing a wireless transmission device, for example wherein the application device receives control commands by employing the wireless transmission device. The wireless transmission device may, for example, be part of the electronic circuit device. In various exemplary embodiments, the wireless transmission device may have a chip or tag which permits wireless data transmission, for example by employing Bluetooth, WLAN, ZigBee, NFC, Wibree, Thread, WiMAX or the like.

In various exemplary embodiments, before providing a recommendation to the user, a data comparison may be undertaken between the smart terminal and/or the smart styling appliance and data, for example reference data which, for example, could be stored in a cloud. In various exemplary embodiments, the data may comprise data from other users which, for example, in turn comprise at least one hair condition parameter and, for example, corresponding derived recommendation/measures.

In various exemplary embodiments, the determined recommendation may be used to produce an optimized/personalized styling product, for example as an order for the production of an optimized/personalized styling product.

In various exemplary embodiments, a conventional hair treatment agent may be employed.

In various exemplary embodiments, a user input on an application device may be used for optimized dispensing of the styling product. With the aid of a digital display and a touch screen, the user can select the desired quantity of product. In this regard, a stored recommendation from experts may already be programmed into the appliance, for example filed (i.e. stored) in a database. By employing a previous individual input of the user's hair length, a (quantity and) product recommendation can then be generated. This can then be either confirmed, increased or reduced by the user if the user is already aware that they tend to use more/less product than is stated on the packaging as being normal.

In various exemplary embodiments, a method for the cosmetic treatment of hair is provided which enables correct selection of the product to be made, i.e. a selection which is suitable for the degree of damage to the hair. As an example, during the hair treatment, a product may be used for hair styling which is exactly appropriate to the degree of damage to the hair.

Reference may be made herein to “the sensors”, for example as regards a data transfer between the sensors and a data processing device, an array of sensors, etc. This should be understood to mean that the sensors could have a total number of sensors disposed in the sensor device or the hair treatment device, for example a total number of camera(s), temperature sensor(s), microphone(s), etc, or, if the context allows, some of said sensors.

In various exemplary embodiments, the hair treatment system may have an electronic device, for example a mobile electronic device (also described as a mobile device), for example a smart phone or a tablet, or, for example, any other data processing device (for example a PC). In various exemplary embodiments, the hair treatment system may furthermore use a (optionally further) external data processing device, for example a cloud, for signal evaluation, for example to extend the signal evaluation.

In this regard, in various exemplary embodiments, the signals captured by employing the sensors may be compared with signals stored in a database (also described as comparative signals, comparative data, reference signals or reference data). In various exemplary embodiments, with the aid of these, the degree of damage to the hair or another hair condition parameter may be classified, for example by assigning degrees of damage to the hair to the comparative signals, and the degree of damage to the hair or the other hair condition parameter of the comparative signal most similar to the measured signal is assigned to the measured hair.

The reference data which, for example, may be provided as a database, may in various exemplary embodiments be obtained empirically (for example in the laboratory) for hair for which the degree of damage to the hair is known. In various exemplary embodiments, furthermore, other information may be available regarding the hair which acts as a basis for the reference spectra, for example “hair bleached four times—high degree of damage” or “untreated hair—no damage”, and/or for hair which is used for the determination of the reference spectra, a development of a condition of the hair, for example the degree of damage to the hair, may be provided, for example a plurality of reference spectra, each of which being recorded after another hair treatment stage, wherein the hair treatment may comprise a caring hair treatment and/or a damaging hair treatment. An agent (for example product and/or ingredient) which is used for a treatment could also have been recorded in the database.

In various exemplary embodiments, the additional information may also be provided to the user (for example from the database), for example as to which level of treatment a condition of the hair corresponds, and/or how their condition of the hair will probably develop if they undertake a specific treatment, for example by using a specific agent.

In various exemplary embodiments, for example when a cloud is employed, the database may be produced using user data instead of being produced in the laboratory (and, for example, be continuously updated). In various exemplary embodiments, the database produced in the laboratory may be supplemented by employing user data which may be provided by employing the cloud.

In various exemplary embodiments, the displayed data, as described elsewhere herein, may be analysed by employing software algorithms in order to determine a hair condition parameter, for example a degree of damage to the hair, and/or an environmental parameter.

In various exemplary embodiments, for example when the reference data is provided by employing the cloud, these may be made available to the user at any time for use as reference data in a comparison.

In various exemplary embodiments, the data captured by employing the hair treatment device or by employing the hair treatment system may be stored, for example in a memory integrated into the hair treatment device and/or in the external data processing device, for example the cloud. The stored data may be stored in a manner such that at least the user is permitted to identify these data as their data. In this manner, a comparison of hair information obtained at different times, for example, (for example before and after a treatment) can be compared with each other.

In various exemplary embodiments, the hair treatment system may have a connection for transmitting (sending and/or receiving) data, for example between a smart phone/tablet which may be part of the hair treatment system, and a cloud, and/or between the hair treatment device and the smart phone/tablet, and/or between the hair treatment device and the cloud, and/or between the sensor device and the hair treatment device, and/or between the sensor device and the smart phone/tablet, and/or between the sensor device and the cloud.

In various exemplary embodiments, the analysis may be carried out by the hair treatment device, for example by employing the circuit device, and an analysis result may be transmitted in order to provide the result of the analysis on a display device, for example on a display, a speaker, a smart phone or the like.

In various exemplary embodiments, the data may be transmitted to/onto a data processing device, for example on a smart phone with an app, on a cloud, etc. After transmitting data to the data processing device, this can be used to interrogate the data, for example in order to determine a control or regulation parameter. In various exemplary embodiments, the data processing device may be part of the hair treatment system, for example in the case in which the data processing device, for example the smart phone or the like, is part of the sensor device and/or of the input and/or output device or a stand-alone part of the hair treatment system (also described as an integrated data processing device).

In various exemplary embodiments, the data processing device may be an external data processing device, for example the cloud.

In various exemplary embodiments, the control or regulation parameter or the recommendation may be or will be determined directly by employing the hair treatment system, for example the hair treatment device and/or the sensor device and/or the input or output device and/or the other integrated data processing device, i.e. the electronic circuit device and/or the integrated data processing device may be configured in a manner such as to determine the control/regulation parameter and optionally other information itself (also described as directly). As an example, the electronic circuit device may be or comprise a data processing device; as an example, it may be equipped with a memory and a processor, for example a microprocessor, which may be configured, for example by employing programming, to receive the sensor data and to control or regulate the hair treatment device and optionally provide the user with information. As an example, the sensor data may be compared with a database, as described above.

In various exemplary embodiments, the electronic circuit device may be configured to indirectly determine the control or regulation parameters or the recommendation, for example product or treatment recommendations. As an example, the electronic circuit device (for example in addition to the memory and a processor, for example a microprocessor) may be equipped with a data transmission device which may be configured to transmit the sensor data received from the electronic circuit device to an external data processing device, for example to a computer, for example a cloud, by employing which, for example as described above for the determination of the control or regulation parameters or for the recommendation by employing the electronic circuit device, can be determined in order to provide the control or regulation parameter or the recommendation, for example by transmission to the hair treatment device and/or to the display device and/or by transmission of the recommendation back to the electronic circuit device (for example by employing the data transmission device). In various exemplary embodiments, the data transmission may be carried out in a plurality of stages, for example by transmitting the sensor data from the electronic circuit device initially to the display device (for example a smart phone, a tablet or the like), with the display device transmitting the sensor data to the external data processing device (for example the cloud).

In various exemplary embodiments, a hair treatment system is provided. The hair treatment system may have a sensor device with at least one condition sensor for capturing a hair condition parameter and/or an environmental parameter, and an electrical hair treatment device. The hair treatment device may have an application device for applying a hair treatment agent to the hair, a hair treatment unit and an electronic circuit device, wherein the electronic circuit device may be coupled to the sensor device in order to receive the captured hair condition parameter and/or the environmental parameter and/or a hair treatment parameter, and wherein the electronic circuit device may be configured, based on the received captured hair condition parameter and/or environmental parameter and/or hair treatment parameter, to control the hair treatment, whereupon the hair treatment may comprise application of the hair treatment agent and a mechanical and/or thermal treatment by employing the hair treatment unit.

In various exemplary embodiments, the hair treatment device may comprise a hair straightener or a curling wand.

In various exemplary embodiments, the at least one condition sensor comprises at least one from a group of condition sensors, the group comprising: a camera for recording an image using visible light, UV light and/or near-infrared light in order to determine a degree of damage to the hair, a curliness, a hair colour, a hair thickness and/or a hair density, a microscope in order to determine a degree of damage to the hair and/or a hair thickness, a spectrometer in order to record a spectrum of visible light, UV light and/or near-infrared light in order to determine a degree of damage to the hair, a hair amino acid content and/or a hair moisture content, an acoustic sensor in order to determine a degree of damage to the hair, a temperature sensor in order to determine an environmental temperature, an air humidity sensor and a wind sensor.

In various exemplary embodiments, the sensor device and the hair treatment device may be separate devices.

In various exemplary embodiments, at least a portion of the sensor device and the hair treatment device may form an integrated unit.

In various exemplary embodiments, the electronic circuit device may have a cordless data exchange device.

In various exemplary embodiments, the hair treatment device may have at least one controlled or regulated element for controlling or regulating the hair treatment.

In various exemplary embodiments, the controlled or regulated element may have a dispensing device for the hair treatment agent and/or, as the hair treatment unit, a heating device and/or a motor for exerting a force on the hair.

In various exemplary embodiments, the hair treatment device may furthermore have a treatment sensor.

In various exemplary embodiments, the control of the hair treatment may furthermore be based on a target condition previously selected by the user.

In various exemplary embodiments, the hair treatment system may furthermore comprise an input device and/or an output device.

In various exemplary embodiments, the input device may have a touch-sensitive screen and/or a keyboard and/or a mouse and/or a microphone, and/or the output device may have a screen and/or a speaker.

In various exemplary embodiments, the system may furthermore have a data processing device or be connectable to the data processing device.

In various exemplary embodiments, the data processing device may be an external data processing device.

In various exemplary embodiments, the external data processing device may comprise or be a cloud.

In various exemplary embodiments, a method for the cosmetic treatment of a user's hair is provided. The method may comprise: prior to a treatment or during the treatment of the hair by employing a hair treatment system in accordance with various exemplary embodiments, capturing a hair condition parameter and/or an environmental parameter by employing the at least one condition sensor, and controlling or regulating a hair treatment based on the received captured hair condition parameter and/or environmental parameter and/or hair treatment parameter, wherein the hair treatment may comprise application of the hair treatment agent and a mechanical and/or thermal treatment.

In various exemplary embodiments, the method may furthermore comprise capturing a hair treatment parameter by employing a hair treatment sensor during the hair treatment.

In various exemplary embodiments, the method may furthermore comprise a transmission of the captured hair condition parameter and/or the environmental parameter and/or a hair treatment parameter to the electronic circuit device.

In the following detailed description, reference will be made to the accompanying drawings which form part of the present application and in which specific embodiments for carrying out the present disclosure are shown for illustration purposes. In this regard, the orientational terminology such as “top”, “bottom”, “front” “rear”, “forward”, “rearward” etc. are used with reference to the orientation of the described figure(s). Because components of embodiments may be positioned in a number of different orientations, the orientational terminology serves for illustration purposes and is not limiting in any way. It should be understood that other embodiments may be used and structural or logical modifications may be undertaken without deviating from the scope of protection of the present disclosure. Furthermore, it is clear that the features of the various exemplary embodiments described herein may be combined with each other, unless specifically stated to the contrary. The following detailed description should therefore not be construed as being limiting, and the scope of protection of the present disclosure is defined in the accompanying claims.

If not already termed “controlling or regulating”, the terms “control”, “controlled element” etc as used herein, unless described differently or to be understood differently from the context, should be understood to mean “controlling or regulating”, “controlled or regulated element” etc.

FIGS. 1A, 1B and 1C and FIG. 2A to FIG. 2E respectively show a diagrammatic view of a hair treatment system 200 in accordance with various exemplary embodiments, wherein different exemplary embodiments are identified by supplemental lower case letters.

FIGS. 3A and 3B respectively show a diagrammatic view of an applying a hair treatment system 200 in accordance with various exemplary embodiments.

In various exemplary embodiments, the hair treatment system 200 comprises a hair treatment device 100 (various exemplary embodiments identified by 100 a, 100 b, etc).

Even though in the figures, the hair treatment device 100 is shown diagrammatically as a hair straightener (FIG. 1A, 1B, 2A to 2F) or as a curling wand (FIG. 1C), it should be understood that the respective exemplary embodiment may also be embodied as the other type of hair treatment device or a similar hair treatment device (which is provided to carry out mechanical work on the hair and to heat the hair thereby, in order to implement a semi-permanent shaping of the hair), unless the context dictates otherwise.

The hair treatment device 100 may comprise a device body 100K. The device body 100K may be formed from a solid material, for example plastic or metal, or may comprise such a material. As an example, the device body 100K may be formed from a material or comprise a material which is usually employed for a hair straightener or a curling wand.

In various exemplary embodiments, the hair treatment device 100 may furthermore comprise a controllable or regulatable heating device 122 (shown only in FIG. 1C, otherwise hidden inside the hair treatment device 100), which may, for example, be integrated into the device body 100K.

In various exemplary embodiments, the hair treatment system 200 may comprise a sensor device 114 with at least one sensor 106 in order to capture at least one hair condition parameter and/or at least one environmental parameter. The at least one sensor 106 may comprise one or more of the sensors 106 described above and/or other/further sensors 106.

As discussed above, the at least one hair condition parameter may, for example, be a hair moisture, a degree of damage to the hair, a hair thickness, a hair density, a curliness or the like. As discussed above, the environmental parameter may comprise, for example, a humidity of the air, a temperature, a wind strength or the like.

In various exemplary embodiments, the at least one sensor 106 may be configured to capture more than one parameter; as an example, the sensor 106 may comprise a NIR spectrometer which may be configured to capture both parameters for the determination of the hair moisture as well as parameters for the determination of the degree of damage to the hair, and/or the sensor 106 may comprise a camera which (for example by employing software) may be configured to determine parameters for determining curliness.

In various exemplary embodiments, as can be seen in FIGS. 1A to 1C and 2A to 2C, the sensor 106 may be disposed in the device body 100K, for example housed and sealed therein. This means that the hair treatment device 100 is resistant to moisture (in particular also to moisture in the hair treatment agent to be applied) and to dirt.

Further, the sealing means that the hair treatment device can be cleaned without damaging the sensor 106 or any other device. As an example, the sensor 106 could be injection moulded at the same time as the device body 100K.

In various exemplary embodiments, for example when the at least one sensor 106 comprises or consists of an optical sensor, the device body 100K may be transparent between the sensor 106 and a surface of the device body 100K. In various exemplary embodiments, as long as it is appropriate, the sensor 106 may be disposed in the device body 100 in a manner such that it faces the hair 220H of the user 220 when the hair is in its usual arrangement on or in the hair treatment device 100, or is in contact with the hair 220H.

In various exemplary embodiments, as can be seen in FIGS. 1A to 1C and 2A to 2C, the sensor 106 may be disposed in the device body 100K.

In various exemplary embodiments, as can be seen in FIGS. 2D to 2F, the sensor 106 might not be integrated into the hair treatment device 100, but be a part of a separate sensor device 114. As can be seen in FIGS. 2D and 2E, in various exemplary embodiments the separate sensor device 114 may alone serve to capture, optionally process and transmit the captured and/or processed data.

In various exemplary embodiments, the sensor device 114 may also fulfil at least one further function, i.e. as can be seen in FIG. 2F, the sensor device 114 may be integrated with a further device of the system, for example with an input and/or output device. In FIG. 2F, as an example, a smart phone may be used as a sensor, for example by employing its camera, and its touch screen may be used as the input and output device. Furthermore, the electronic circuit device of the smart phone, which may comprise a processor and a memory, may be configured to undertake an evaluation of the recorded data (for example images) and, for example, from an image that shows the hair 220H of the user 220, may determine the curliness of the hair or the like. The determined hair condition parameter may be transmitted to the hair treatment device for controlling or regulating the hair treatment device.

The external sensor device 114 may comprise an electronic circuit device 1040 and a cordless data exchange device 1040 a which may be similar to or identical to the electronic circuit device 104 and the cordless data exchange device 104 a from the previous exemplary embodiments.

In various exemplary embodiments, the hair treatment device 100 may comprise an electronic circuit device 104 disposed in or on the device body 100K.

In various exemplary embodiments, the electronic circuit device 104 may be coupled to at least one sensor 106, for example by employing a connection 108, in order to receive the captured sensor value. When a plurality of sensors 106 are present, the electronic circuit device 104 may comprise a unique coupling to each of the sensors 106. In various exemplary embodiments, the coupling may comprise or be an electrically conductive connection, a (glass) fibre connection and/or a cordless connection. The electronic circuit device 104 may be configured to receive the at least one sensor value from the at least one sensor 106.

In various exemplary embodiments, the electronic circuit device 104 may be or comprise a data processing device; as an example, it may be equipped with a memory and a processor, for example a microprocessor, which may be configured, for example by employing programming, to receive data from the sensor 106 and from it to derive one or more hair treatment parameters in order to control or regulate the hair treatment device, for example as described above by controlling or regulating a temperature of the hair straightener/curling wand, a force exerted on the hair 220H of the user 220 (for example in the form of a pressure with which two parts of a two-part hair treatment device, as can be seen in all of the exemplary embodiments from FIGS. 1A to 1C, 2A to 2F, 3A and 3B, are pressed together), and/or dispensing of a hair treatment agent.

In various exemplary embodiments, each of the thermal/mechanical elements of the hair treatment device may be or will be controlled or regulated by employing an actuator 110.

As an example, the heating device 122 may comprise, as the actuator 110, a temperature control/regulator, the exertion of force on the hair may be carried out by employing a controllable/regulatable motor as the actuator 110, and/or the application device (nozzles 120 of the application device are shown in FIG. 1B) for the hair treatment agent may comprise a pump and/or a dispensing valve as the actuator 110. The actuator 110 may be configured in a manner such that it can influence a hair treatment parameter. The actuator 110 may respectively be controlled or regulated or be controllable or regulatable in a manner such that the hair treatment parameter which is influenced by the actuator 110 corresponds to the hair treatment parameter determined by employing the hair condition parameter and/or the environmental parameter.

In various exemplary embodiments, the electronic circuit device 104 may be configured, based on the data received from the sensor 106, to determine at least one recommendation and to provide it to the user 220, for example (as described above) as an instructional video, as a product recommendation for a known hair treatment agent or as a formula for an individual hair treatment agent, as described above.

In various exemplary embodiments, for example in the case in which the at least one sensor 106 is used in order to determine a degree of damage to the hair, a curliness or the like, the hair treatment device 100 may be configured to control the actuator 110, for example to set a temperature for the hair treatment, for example a straightening procedure or a curling procedure, which is suited to the degree of damage to the hair, the curliness or the like.

In various exemplary embodiments, for example in the case in which the at least one sensor furthermore comprises at least one treatment sensor 128, for example temperature sensors 128, in order to determine a hair temperature, for example at positions in front of and behind the heating device, the hair treatment device 100 may be configured in a manner such as to regulate the actuator 110, for example to set a temperature for the hair treatment, for example a straightening procedure or a curling procedure, which is suited to the degree of damage to the hair, the curliness or the like and on the basis of the temperature captured by employing the treatment sensors 128 (in particular the temperature behind the heating device, i.e. after the heating treatment), to readjust it. Other possible types of treatment sensors 128 have been described above.

In various exemplary embodiments, the hair treatment device 100 may be configured to regulate the actuator 110 solely on the basis of temperature sensor data.

In various exemplary embodiments, the actuator 110 may be configured to be set at a relatively high temperature, for example in the range from approximately 200° C. to approximately 230° C., when it is determined that the hair 220H of the user 220 is undamaged and/or thick, for example, and to be set at a relatively low temperature, for example in the range from approximately 150° C. to approximately 180° C., when it is determined that the hair 220H of the user 220 has already been damaged and/or is fine, for example.

In various exemplary embodiments, the user 220 may also be provided with a hair treatment recommendation; as an example, in the case of the hair straightener or curling wand, a recommendation “treat each strand of hair for a maximum of five seconds” or the like may be provided.

In various exemplary embodiments, as can be seen in FIG. 1B, the actuator 110, for example as an alternative to or in addition to temperature control or regulation, may comprise the controllable or regulatable application device (also termed the dispensing device), which is configured to dispense the hair treatment agent on the basis of the captured sensor data.

As discussed above, the application device may comprise at least one pump and/or at least one valve, which may be controllable or regulatable in a manner such that a volume or a quantity of the hair treatment agent can be dispensed. Dispensing may in various exemplary embodiments be carried out as a function of a position of the hair treatment device 100 on the hair 220H; as an example, when it is determined that the hair treatment device 100 is located at the roots of the hair, a different quantity of hair treatment agent may be dispensed than when it is determined that the hair treatment device 100 is positioned at the tips of the hair. As an example, the tips of the hair may require a larger quantity of hair care agent than the roots.

As can be seen in FIG. 1B, in various exemplary embodiments, the hair treatment agent may be accommodated or will be accommodated in the hair treatment device 100 in a cartridge 130. The cartridge 130 may be refillable, for example. In various exemplary embodiments, the cartridge 130 may be capable of being introduced into the hair treatment device 100, for example by employing an opening 116.

In various exemplary embodiments, the dispensing valve may be part of the hair treatment device 100. As an alternative, the dispensing valve may be part of the cartridge 130.

In various exemplary embodiments, instead of using the cartridge 130, the hair treatment agent could be introduced directly into a receptacle of the hair treatment device 100.

In various exemplary embodiments, the hair treatment system 200 is provided with a mixing device 132, by employing which the personalized hair treatment agent (as described above) can be prepared. In various exemplary embodiments, the personalized hair treatment agent may be prepared by employing a mixing device which does not belong to the hair treatment system 200 and provided in the cartridge, for example at a cosmetics salon, at a specialist manufacturer, for example at an online retailer, or the like.

In various exemplary embodiments, in the hair treatment system 200, 200 a from FIG. 1A, the sensor device, in this case the at least one sensor 106, may be integrated into the hair treatment device 100, 100 a, configured as a hair straightener, for example. In various exemplary embodiments, the hair treatment device 100 a may be configured to determine at least one hair treatment parameter by employing the integrated electronic circuit device 104 on the basis of the hair condition parameters and/or environmental parameters captured by employing the integrated sensor 106 and to control the hair treatment by employing the at least one actuator 110, wherein the hair treatment comprises an application of hair treatment agent and a mechanical and/or thermal treatment (i.e. pressing and/or heating the hair 220H).

In various exemplary embodiments, the hair treatment system 200, 200 b from FIG. 1B may correspond to the hair treatment system 200, 200 a from FIG. 1A, and furthermore also be provided with the mixing device 132 which may be part of the hair treatment device 100, 100 a or may be a separate device.

Furthermore, the hair treatment device 100, 100 a, is shown in its exploded condition, so that the heating device 122, openings of the dispensing device 120 and treatment sensors 128 are visible.

In various exemplary embodiments, the hair treatment system 200, 200 c from FIG. 1C may correspond to the hair treatment system 200, 200 a from FIG. 1A, with the exception that the hair treatment device 100, 100 b is depicted by way of example as a curling wand 100, 100 b.

In various exemplary embodiments, the hair treatment system 200, 200 d from FIG. 2A differs from the hair treatment system 200 a from FIG. 1A in that the hair treatment device 100 c has a data exchange device 104 a which may be configured to transmit and receive data cordlessly (shown as signals 224 and 230).

In various exemplary embodiments, the hair treatment system 200, 200 d may be configured to exchange data with an external data processing device 226 by employing the data exchange device 104 a. The external data processing device may, for example, be an external computer, for example a cloud.

As described above, the external data processing device 226 may be configured to receive the sensor data captured from the hair treatment system 200 d, to determine the control or regulation parameter and/or the at least one recommendation and to transmit them back to the hair treatment system 200 c. This means that, as described above, the hair treatment system 200 d can be configured to determine the control or regulation parameters and/or the at least one recommendation indirectly.

In various exemplary embodiments, the hair treatment system 200, 200 e from FIG. 2B may essentially correspond to the hair treatment system 200 d from FIG. 2A, but be supplemented by an output device 228. A screen, i.e. a display device, is shown by way of example as the output device 228. Alternatively or in addition, the hair treatment system 200 e may also be provided with any type of output device 228, for example as described above.

In various exemplary embodiments, the output device 228 may be configured to receive data (as a signal 222 (for example cordless)) from the hair treatment device 100 d and to provide an output, for example a recommendation determined by employing the electronic circuit device 104 and/or the external data processing device 226, for example a hair treatment recommendation (for example, as described above, step-by-step instructions or the like) and/or a recommended hair care agent or the like.

In various exemplary embodiments, the hair treatment system 200, 200 f from FIG. 2C may comprise a hair treatment device 100, 100 e which may be similar to or identical to the hair treatment device 100 a in essential features.

In contrast to the hair treatment device 100 a, the hair treatment device 100 e may also be supplemented by a data exchange device 104 a. In an analogous manner to the data exchange device 104 a of FIG. 2A and/or FIG. 2B, in various exemplary embodiments, the data exchange device 104 a may be configured to transmit and receive data 224, 230 in a cordless manner.

In various exemplary embodiments, the hair treatment system 200, 200 f may comprise a display device 228.

In various exemplary embodiments, the display device 228 may be configured to receive data (as a signal 222) from the hair treatment device 100 e and to output it, for example as described above with respect to FIG. 2B.

In various exemplary embodiments, the hair treatment system 200, 200 g from FIG. 2D may comprise a hair treatment device 100, 100 f which may in essential parts be similar to or identical to the hair treatment device 100 a.

In contrast to the hair treatment device 100 a, instead of being integrated into the hair treatment device 100 f, the at least one sensor 106 may furthermore form part of a separate sensor device 114. In order to receive the sensor data from the sensor device 114, in various exemplary embodiments, the hair treatment device 100 f may comprise a data exchange device 104 a.

In various exemplary embodiments, the data exchange device 104 a of the hair treatment device 100, 100 f may be configured to transmit and receive data 224 in a cordless manner.

In various exemplary embodiments, an electronic circuit device 1040 may be coupled to the at least one sensor 106 by employing a data connection 108 which may be similar to or identical to the data connection 108 from the previous exemplary embodiments.

The external sensor device 114 may be configured to transmit (shown as the signal 224) captured sensor data and/or control or regulation parameters determined on the basis of the sensor data (for example by employing the circuit device 1040) and/or recommendations to the hair treatment device 100 f, for example by employing a data exchange device 1040 a. The external sensor device 114 may, for example, comprise a smart phone or the like wherein, for example, an integrated camera may be used as the sensor, or another type of sensor device, for example a (NIR) spectrometer, acoustic comb, etc, for example as described above.

The hair treatment device 100 f may be configured to control or regulate the actuator 110 on the basis of the received control or regulation parameters and/or to determine control or regulation parameters on the basis of the received sensor data (for example by employing the electronic circuit device 104) and to control or regulate the actuator 110 on the basis of the determined control or regulation parameters.

In various exemplary embodiments, the hair treatment system 200, 200 g from FIG. 2E may comprise a hair treatment device 100, 100 h, essential features of which may be similar to or identical to the hair treatment device 100 d from FIG. 2B.

In contrast to the hair treatment system 200 e from FIG. 2B, the hair treatment device 100 h and the external sensor device 114 may be configured not to exchange their data directly with each other, but by employing a combined data processing device and display device 226, 228 (for example of a smart phone, a tablet, a laptop or the like). In other words, the combined data processing device and display device 226, 228 may function as the core of the hair treatment system 200 g. As an example, an app or a program may be installed on the combined data processing device and display device 226, 228 which may be configured to administer the capture of the sensor data and control/regulate the hair treatment parameter, optionally autonomously, for example as an alternative to or in addition to the electronic circuit device 104 and/or the electronic circuit device 1040, to determine the control or regulation parameters and/or the recommendation and/or, optionally as an alternative or in addition to the hair treatment device 100 h, to provide the recommendation, for example by employing the output device 228, for example as a display or, for example acoustically, for example via a speaker.

In various exemplary embodiments, the combined data processing device and display device 226, 228 may furthermore be configured to provide the sensor data to a (further) external data processing device 226, for example a cloud, and to transmit the control or regulation parameters received from the (further) external data processing device 226 and/or to transmit the recommendation to the hair treatment device 100 f and/or to provide the recommendation.

In various exemplary embodiments, in order to determine a condition of the hair, for example a degree of damage to the hair or the like and/or an environmental parameter, as described above, a database may be used in which the sensor data or, optionally, combinations of sensor data can be assigned to the states of the hair (for example degrees of damage to the hair) or environmental parameters. The database may be set up beforehand from experiments and be stored, for example in the data processing and display device 226, 228 and/or in at least one of the electronic circuit devices 104, 1040, and/or may be continuously generated or updated, for example when using a cloud, using user data and provided to the hair treatment system 200 g.

In various exemplary embodiments, the database may furthermore provide a treatment and/or product recommendation on the basis of the condition of the hair, for example of the degree of damage to the hair, and/or on the basis of the at least one environmental parameter. Furthermore, when determining the treatment and/or product recommendation, for example as described above, further information provided by the user 220 may be incorporated, for example a desired condition or the like.

As described above, the captured (measured) sensor values may be evaluated either directly in the hair treatment device 100, for example by employing the electronic circuit device 104, or evaluated indirectly, in that they are transmitted to an external data processing device 226 in order to be evaluated there, for example as described above. In this manner, in various exemplary embodiments, the sensor data or some of the sensor data can be evaluated by employing a comparison with (for example empirically obtained) database entries.

In various exemplary embodiments, the determined hair treatment agent, for example hair styling agent, may be applied to the hair by employing the hair treatment device or the hair treatment system, wherein control or regulation parameters for dispensing the hair treatment agent is provided or will be provided by employing the electronic circuit device 104, the electronic circuit device 1040 and/or the external data processing device 226 and/or the further external data processing device.

In various exemplary embodiments, the hair treatment system 200, 200 j from FIG. 2F may comprise a hair treatment device 100, 100 g, essential features of which may be similar to or identical to that of the hair treatment device 100 f from FIG. 2D.

As was the case in the description of FIG. 2D, the separate sensor device 114 may comprise a smart phone, a tablet, a laptop or the like; as an example, the camera and/or a microphone of the smart phone/tablet/laptop 114 may be used as the sensor 106 or as part of the sensor. With the aid of a touch sensitive screen or a combination of keyboard and screen and/or mouse and screen, the sensor device 114 of the hair treatment system 200 j may also simultaneously act as the input and/or output device 228, and a processor of the smart phone/tablet/laptop may act as the electronic circuit device 1040 of the sensor device 114 or as the data processing device 226, for example by employing software (for example an app) installed on it, and provide functions as described above for the electronic circuit device 1040 of the sensor device 114 or as the data processing device 226.

FIG. 3A shows a diagrammatic view of a use of a hair treatment system 200, 200 a in accordance with various exemplary embodiments, and FIG. 3B shows a diagrammatic view of a use of a hair treatment system 200, 200 h in accordance with various exemplary embodiments.

As can be seen in FIG. 3A, the hair treatment device 100 a may be used for the treatment of hair in a manner which is usual for the hair treatment device. A hair straightener is shown, in which strands of hair 220H are clamped and which are typically moved in the direction of the arrow, i.e. from the roots of the hair in the direction of the tips of the hair. Similarly, when using a curling wand as the hair treatment device, for example, strands of the hair are wound onto the hair treatment device 100.

In contrast to the conventional hair treatment system, in accordance with various exemplary embodiments, the hair treatment system 200 may be configured in a manner such that during the hair treatment, for example as described above, at least one sensor value may be captured by employing at least one sensor 106 and at least one hair treatment parameter may be controlled or regulated, wherein the hair treatment comprises at least the application of a hair treatment agent during the hair treatment and at least the exertion of a force on the hair 220H and heating the hair 220H.

As can be seen in FIG. 3B, the hair treatment system 200 h may be used for a hair treatment. As described above, an external sensor device 114 may be used in order to determine at least one hair condition parameter, for example a degree of damage to the hair or the like, and/or an environmental parameter. To this end, the external sensor device 114 may be brought into optical and/or physical contact with the hair 220H of the user 220.

The use of a microphone comb 114 as the sensor device for determining the degree of damage to the hair is shown.

As described above, the at least one sensor value and/or a hair condition parameter derived therefrom and/or a control or regulation parameter may be transmitted to the combined data processing device/display device 226, 228 (shown as the signal 222, 230), and the at least one sensor value and/or a hair condition parameter determined therefrom and/or a control or regulation parameter may be transmitted to the hair treatment device 100 g, for example to control and/or regulate the at least one actuator 110 and/or to display the at least one recommendation.

The transmission of the at least one sensor value and/or a hair condition parameter determined therefrom and/or a control or regulation parameter to the hair treatment device 100 g is shown prior to using the hair treatment device 100 g. In various exemplary embodiments, the transmission may also be carried out simultaneously with use.

In various exemplary embodiments, the other hair treatment devices and hair treatment systems described above may be used in an analogous manner to that described here by way of example for two hair treatment systems.

FIG. 4 shows a flow diagram 400 for a method for the cosmetic treatment of hair of a user in accordance with various exemplary embodiments.

In various exemplary embodiments, the method for the cosmetic treatment of hair of a user may comprise capturing a hair condition parameter and/or an environmental parameter by employing the at least one condition sensor during a treatment and/or prior to a treatment of hair using a hair treatment system in accordance with various exemplary embodiments (at 410), and controlling or regulating a hair treatment based on the received captured hair condition parameters and/or environmental parameters and/or hair treatment parameters, wherein the hair treatment comprises application of the hair treatment agent and a mechanical and/or thermal treatment (at 420).

In various exemplary embodiments, programming, for example software, may be used for the determinations described above. In this regard, any software may be used which provides the functionalities described above. In various exemplary embodiments, for example in the case in which, in order to carry out the method for the cosmetic treatment of a user's hair in accordance with various exemplary embodiments, a smart phone, a tablet or the like may be used, and so the software may be provided as an app.

In various exemplary embodiments, the circuit device integrated into the hair treatment device and/or an external data processing device, for example a smart phone, a tablet, a laptop, a smart mirror, an iPad or the like, may be suitable to be used when carrying out the method for the provision of hair condition information and/or environmental condition information, for example during determination procedures, for example by employing comparison with a database/reference values or the like. In various exemplary embodiments, the programming/software does not need to be provided on the smart phone, tablet, laptop etc. It may, for example, be sufficient for the circuit device integrated into the hair treatment device and/or the smart phone or the like to be connected via the internet, via WLAN or in another usual manner with a (for example a further) external data processing device, for example a computer, for example a cloud. In such a case, the calculations may, for example, be carried out by employing the (further) external data processing device, for example by employing the computer, and the result may be provided to the smart phone/tablet or the like and/or the internal electronic circuit device, wherein the hair treatment device may be configured to use the control/regulation commands determined by employing the external data processing device to control or regulate the at least one hair treatment parameter, for example to control or regulate an appropriate actuator.

Further advantageous embodiments of the method can be obtained from the description of the device, and vice versa.

While at least one exemplary embodiment has been presented in the foregoing detailed description, it should be appreciated that a vast number of variations exist. It should also be appreciated that the exemplary embodiment or exemplary embodiments are only examples, and are not intended to limit the scope, applicability, or configuration of the various embodiments in any way. Rather, the foregoing detailed description will provide those skilled in the art with a convenient road map for implementing an exemplary embodiment as contemplated herein. It being understood that various changes may be made in the function and arrangement of elements described in an exemplary embodiment without departing from the scope of the various embodiments as set forth in the appended claims. 

1. A hair treatment system, comprising: a sensor device having at least one condition sensor for capturing a hair condition parameter and/or an environmental parameter; and an electrical hair treatment device, comprising: an application device for applying a hair treatment agent to the hair; a hair treatment unit; and an electronic circuit device, wherein the electronic circuit device is coupled to the sensor device in order to receive the captured hair condition parameter and/or the environmental parameter and/or a hair treatment parameter, and wherein the electronic circuit device is configured to control the hair treatment on the basis of the received captured hair condition parameter and/or environmental parameter and/or hair treatment parameter, wherein the hair treatment comprises an application of the hair treatment agent by employing the application device and a mechanical and/or thermal treatment by employing the hair treatment unit.
 2. The hair treatment system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the hair treatment device comprises a hair straightener or a curling wand.
 3. The hair treatment system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least one condition sensor comprises at least one sensor from a group of condition sensors, the group comprising: a camera for recording an image using visible light, UV light and/or near-infrared light in order to determine a degree of damage to the hair, a curliness, a hair colour, a hair thickness and/or a hair density; a microscope for determining a degree of damage to the hair and/or a hair thickness; a spectrometer for recording a spectrum of visible light, UV light and/or near-infrared light and for determining a degree of damage to the hair, a hair amino acid content and/or a hair moisture content; an acoustic sensor for determining a degree of damage to the hair; a temperature sensor for determining an environmental temperature; an air humidity sensor; and a wind sensor.
 4. The hair treatment system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the sensor device and the hair treatment device are separate devices.
 5. The hair treatment system as claimed in claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the sensor device and the hair treatment device form an integrated unit.
 6. The hair treatment system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the hair treatment system is configured to receive an environmental parameter from an external source.
 7. The hair treatment system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the hair treatment device comprises at least one controlled or regulated element for controlling or regulating the hair treatment.
 8. The hair treatment system as claimed in claim 7, wherein the controlled or regulated element comprises a dispensing device for the hair treatment agent and/or, as the hair treatment unit, a heating device and/or a motor for exerting a force on the hair.
 9. The hair treatment system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the hair treatment device further comprises a treatment sensor.
 10. The hair treatment system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the control of the hair treatment is furthermore based on a target condition pre-selected by the user.
 11. The hair treatment system as claimed in claim 1, further comprising: an input device and/or an output device.
 12. The hair treatment system as claimed in claim 11, wherein the input device comprises a touch-sensitive screen and/or a keyboard and/or a mouse and/or a microphone, and/or wherein the output device comprises a screen and/or a speaker.
 13. A method for the cosmetic treatment of the hair of a user, comprising: prior to a treatment or during the treatment of the hair using a hair treatment system as claimed in claim 1, capturing a hair condition parameter and/or an environmental parameter by employing the at least one condition sensor; and controlling or regulating a hair treatment based on the received captured hair condition parameter and/or environmental parameter and/or hair treatment parameter, wherein the hair treatment comprises an application of the hair treatment agent and a mechanical and/or thermal treatment.
 14. The method as claimed in claim 13, further comprising: during the hair treatment, capturing a hair treatment parameter by employing a hair treatment sensor.
 15. The method as claimed in claim 13, further comprising: transmitting the captured hair condition parameter and/or the environmental parameter and/or a hair treatment parameter to the electronic circuit device.
 16. The hair treatment system as claimed in claim 2, wherein the at least one condition sensor comprises at least one sensor from a group of condition sensors, the group comprising: a camera for recording an image using visible light, UV light and/or near-infrared light in order to determine a degree of damage to the hair, a curliness, a hair colour, a hair thickness and/or a hair density; a microscope for determining a degree of damage to the hair and/or a hair thickness; a spectrometer for recording a spectrum of visible light, UV light and/or near-infrared light and for determining a degree of damage to the hair, a hair amino acid content and/or a hair moisture content; an acoustic sensor for determining a degree of damage to the hair; a temperature sensor for determining an environmental temperature; an air humidity sensor; and a wind sensor.
 17. The hair treatment system as claimed in claim 2 wherein the sensor device and the hair treatment device are separate devices.
 18. The hair treatment system as claimed in claim 2 wherein at least a portion of the sensor device and the hair treatment device form an integrated unit.
 19. The hair treatment system as claimed in claim 16 wherein the hair treatment system is configured to receive a predicted parameter from an external source, wherein the hair treatment device comprises at least one controlled or regulated element for controlling or regulating the hair treatment, wherein the controlled or regulated element comprises a dispensing device for the hair treatment agent and/or, as the hair treatment unit, a heating device and/or a motor for exerting a force on the hair, wherein the hair treatment device further comprises a treatment sensor, wherein the control of the hair treatment is furthermore based on a target condition pre-selected by the user, and wherein the hair treatment device further comprises an input device and/or an output device, wherein the input device comprises a touch-sensitive screen and/or a keyboard and/or a mouse and/or a microphone, and/or wherein the output device comprises a screen and/or a speaker.
 20. The method as claimed in claim 14, further comprising: transmitting the captured hair condition parameter and/or the environmental parameter and/or a hair treatment parameter to the electronic circuit device. 